While the script of RACE 2 has been finalised, it is time for casting decisions to be made and shooting schedule locked. While the original cast comprised of Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy, only the first two actors in the list have been finalised for the sequel.

'Yes, Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are already in and now that the script has been finalised, even John Abraham has been brought on board,' confirms producer Ramesh Taurani. As for the leading ladies, there is no one who has been signed yet. All names that you may be hearing are mere speculations. We should be ready with an official announcement pretty soon.'

It has been more than 2 years since RACE released and made waves all over. While it has been a long wait for the sequel to get on floors, it doesn't seem that the filming would begin anytime this year. Doesn't Taurani feel that the kick start to the sequel is long overdue now?

'See, we did announce sequel to RACE but never committed on the date. It was all media speculation,' the producer says, 'A film like this takes time to make as it would be set on a very big canvas with far bigger thrills and action sequences than the first one. There is no point rushing the project for the sake of raking benefits that have come from RACE. If I do that, I would be cheating the audiences who have loved every bit of RACE.'

No wonder, it is crystal clear that it won't be before end of 2011 that the sequel would actually hit the screens.

'You can say so,' agrees Taurani, 'Abbas-Mustan are currently busy with their remake of THE ITALIAN JOB and it would be only early next year when they will start calling the shots for RACE sequel. The filming and post production will take some time so I guess people will have to wait. What I can promise though is the wait will certainly be worth it.'